Contributor: Gordon K. Klintworth
A hordeolum (stye) presents as an acute, red, tender inflammatory mass in the eyelid due to an acute suppurative inflammatory reaction involving the glands of the eyelid. It is a common lesion and it is usually due to Staphylococcus. Hordeolums are divided into internal and external varieties. An internal hordeolum affects the Meibomian glands. An external hordeolum involves the glands of Moll or Zeis glands and the adjacent hair follicles and cilia.